Protective Athletic Equipment

ABSTRACT

A protective garment for an arm is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a shield layer disposed under the outer surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to protective equipment forshielding a wearer's body from unwanted forces and potential injury.This invention relates to protective equipment allowing the athlete anormal range of body motion, while helping to protect the upper armduring athletic competition.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

Lacrosse is believed to be the oldest team contact sport in the UnitedStates. The sport involves a small rubber ball and a long handled stickcalled a lacrosse stick. The lacrosse stick typically consists of awood, metal, graphite, or plastic handle with a shaped head comprised ofloose netting to catch and hold the lacrosse ball. Offensive players usethe lacrosse stick to catch, carry, or throw the lacrosse ball in orderto score on the opponent's goal. Defensive players attempt to preventtheir opponent from scoring. Body protective equipment is commonly wornby participants of contact sports for the purpose of preventing injuriesto their head, eyes, hands, shoulders, chest and legs. In contactsports, various situations may cause upper arm injuries. Examples ofthese situations include bumping into players or being struck by anotherplayers equipment. Upper arm protective equipment may reduce or preventinjuries resulting from various other circumstances, including those notassociated with contact sports.

The popularity of lacrosse has increased in the prior ten years. Thereis currently estimated to be more than 625,000 lacrosse players in theUnited States alone, and this number is growing. According to USLacrosse®, between 2001 and 2010 the number of lacrosse players in theUnited States increased by a total of 60%.

There is no existing upper arm protective equipment designed for femalelacrosse players and nothing of this design for male lacrosse players.

The need exists for a piece of upper arm protective equipment thatcushions against blows and allows for a normal range of body motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the invention is a protective garment for the upper arm. Theprotective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surfaceand an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a layerdisposed below the outer surface.

It is therefore one advantage of the invention to provide a piece ofupper arm protective equipment that allows a wearer to move her/his armsin all directions and simultaneously provides improved protection forthe arm of the wearer.

It is another advantage of the invention to provide a piece of upper armprotective equipment that is durable and can withstand a substantialnumber of blows over a significant period of time.

In accordance with the above and the other advantages of the presentinvention, a piece of protective equipment is provided for cushioningblows imparted upon the upper arm of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should bemade to the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examplesof the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the of the protective equipment.

FIG. 2 is a top/bottom view of the protective equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 provides a side view of the protective equipment 5. The tubulardesign of the protective equipment allows it to be placed so as theprotective equipment can shield a wearer's body from unwanted forces tothe upper arm. A shield layer is disposed below the outer surface of apocket 6.

FIG. 2 provides a view of the top/bottom of the protective equipment.The tubular design of the protective equipment allows for the protectiveequipment to slide up an and arm and worn at the upper arm—bicep area.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with apreferred embodiment, it should be understood that modifications,alterations, and additions can be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is: 1) A protective garment comprising: a protectorportion for an arm having an outer surface and an inner surface; and ashield layer disposed below said outer surface. 2) The protectivegarment of claim 1 wherein said protector portion further comprises: asleeve portion constructed of neoprene material; and a shield layerdisposed below outer surface of of said sleeve. 3) The protectivegarment of claim 1 wherein said shield layer is formed from syntheticfiber and foam material.